A GUITAR found in the loft at John Lennon's childhood home is to go on display at the Beatles Story museum this week.

Mystery surrounds the origin of the 1950s instrument, which is believed may have belonged to the former Beatle.

The Dallas Tuxedo solid guitar first came to light in 1996 when it was found by builders who handed it to Ernest Burkey, then owner of the house on Menlove Avenue.

Mr Burkey, who had no idea of Lennon's connection with Mendips when he moved there in the 1960s, was a reluctant owner of the Woolton house, refusing to give tours of the property.

However, when his nephew Alan Stratton asked if he could show US early Beatles memorabilia collector Larry Wassgren around, Mr Burkey agreed.

He even gave the guitar, along with two banjo magazines which probably belonged to Lennon's mother Julia, to his visitors.

"Ernie would not let anybody in the house, not even Yoko Ono. When she came to visit with Sean Lennon she had to stand outside and look at it from the pavement.

"The only people he ever let in were Cynthia Lennon, because he felt a certain sympathy for her after she was ditched by John, his half-sister Julia Baird and Larry," said Mr Stratton.

Since that day, he and Mr Wassgren have been searching for proof that the guitar did belong to the musician.

However, there is so far no written or photographic evidence to support this theory.

Mr Stratton, who was a classmate of Lennon's at Dovedale Primary, added: "It has to be John's guitar because no other children lived in that house and it was made when he was about 18 or 19.

"Ernie said he found it in his loft and it had been there for 40 years.

"I feel very proud that I can be instrumental in bringing the guitar back to the people of Liverpool and indeed fans from all over the world as this is potentially a significant piece of Beatles history."

Beatles Story curator Sandra Quayle is also intrigued by the mystery and is calling for help to widen the research.

She said: "By exhibiting the guitar, we hope to open up new avenues for an answer to the question - was this John Lennon's guitar?"

Anyone who can help uncover the true owner of the instrument should contact the museum via its website at www.beatlesstory.com.

The Dallas Tuxedo guitar will be on display at The Beatles Story, Albert Dock, Liverpool from Friday.

* UNSEEN film footage showing a day in the life of John Lennon is to go under the hammer at a New York auction.

The 45-minute movie, shot by a film student in November 1974, shows the 34-year-old in a series of quirky activities, including taking over an ice cream van and imitating baboons for children. It is shot without sound.

Lennon was also filmed chatting to New York cops, performing magic tricks for youngsters in Central Park, and nervously unbending paper clips in his apartment.